aswana-cliche: Maharashtra State - Ellora Caves, Part 1

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Maharashtra State - Ellora Caves, Part 1

Exploring "The Ellora Caves", Part 1

Event date: 11th December 2011

Ellora Caves is one of the wonders of India, the world famous rock-cut temples and monasteries located on the Charanadri hill range in North-South direction near Ellora Town. A friend who worked and stayed in Chennai sent me an email of about the twin wonders, Ellora and Ajanta Caves in 2009 when I was still working in Pakistan. Never crossed my mind at the time that I would be able to visit 1 of them, the Ellora Caves with my beloved family.

Above photo was an entrance to Hindu Cave No. 16, the Kailas. Kailas is the first temple that you would see as soon as you entered the site. The archaeological site provides sufficient informatory boards within the 3km site to make it easier for a tourist to know where they are. I admired even the informatory board, which, to my eyes is a pretty and historic thing matching its surrounding.

The boys were enthusiastic and very excited to explore the caves in the beginning. I wish to record in the 2 entries of their emotions, body language etc (as pictures tells a thousand story) of how happy they are to be in the place of their mother interest, which is not to their choice.

Well, back to serious thing about the place. There are a total of 34 rock-cut cave temples belonging to 3 different religious faiths Buddhist, Hindu & Jain. It is the only place where 3 religion groups placed their important caves within the same vicinity. Ajanta only belonged to the Buddhist faith. Below photo is at Cave No. 6. Japanese tourist is admiring the Goddess Mahamayuri, a great resemblance of Goddess Saraswati in Hindu mythology famous of learning.

Ellora Caves is acclaimed by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. The following are religion wise groups and their approximate period of excavation:

12 Buddhist Caves, No. 1 to 12 - 500 to 700 AD;
17 Hindu Caves, No. 13 to 29 - 757 to 900 AD; and
5 Jain Caves, No. 30 to 34 - 900 to 1100 AD.

Below photo is Cave No. 5, the biggest Vihar in Maharashtra. Its spacious hall has no columns supporting the ceiling. Here, long benches are carved out of floor stone which were used for study and dining by Buddhist scholars. The columns are delicately carved.

The 12 Buddhist caves of Ellora belonged to Mahayan cult, 1 is in Chaitya-Griha whilst 11 caves are Vihar. Soon after the Mahaparinirvan, disciples of Buddha, the Buddha followers split into 2 sects known as Hinayan and Mahayan.In the beginning worship was not prevalent in Budhism. Gautama Buddha came to be deified in a Buddhist gathering held under the patronage of emperor Kanishka in Peshawar in the 1st century B.C. This new cult of worshippers came to be known as Mahayan while the cult of non-worshippers remained as Hinayan. Henceforth, the disciples of Mahayan began creating idols of Buddha in Pralambpad Asan. So that a disciple could touch and worship his feet with ease. The practice of idols (paganism) must hurt Gautama Budha, I guess, as it was not his teaching and being his line of argument in deliberating Vedas, the Hindu Holy book with the Hindu priest. However, the sects too a widespread thing in other religion. There are catholic, protestant etc in Christianity, Shia and Sunni in Islam. Let's not judge others, instead, let's judging our self by looking closer in the mirror and seeing our imperfection. It is a much worthier.

Upper and below photos are a charming view of the caves 1 to 6. Cave No. 1, seated at the far end has nothing inside and is the smallest Vihar having 8 cells. Caves 2, though small but lavishly decorated with beautiful sculptures including 5 images of Buddha in Padmasan.

Cave No. 10 is a must visit cave as it contain the only Chaitya-Griha among the 12 Buddhist Cave in Ellora.It is named after Vishwakarma, a mythological architect of universe. A peculiar thing of the hall is it's semi-circular inner shape. The Stupa at the back is the main part of the Chaitya. The image of Buddha in the stupa is in Pralambpad Asan (name of ritual position), flanked by Bodhisattvas. The image of Buddha looks brightened due to sun rays coming through outer Chaitya-Window. The sounds of prayer are echoed in the Hall.

The entrance facade of Cave No. 10 adorned with beautiful scrucptures and its rock-cut beams of this Chaitya are patterned on wooden beams, so, it is called as Carpenter's Hut.

The last of Buddhist Cave is No. 12, named as "Teen-Taal", whilst cave no. 11 is "Do-Taal". The structure of Teen-Taal and Do-Taal, both are 3 storey, are quite different from all other Buddhist caves in India. It's architecture resemblances the modern multi storied apartments. In cave No. 12, it has 2 large sculpture panels. Each having 7 images of Buddha, stand out their grace and grandeur.

I shall continue the Hindu and the Jain Caves in the second part as I have so many beautiful photos to share in here. 2 photos below are a teaser for next entry.

When I was about to continue the next exploration to Hindu Caves, No. 13, hubby said that he shall wait for me by the tree shades where a Japanese tourist was also sitting there, drawing a picture of Cave No. 14. At this time, suddenly there's a group of school children's started flooding the compound where my husband sat. He was smiling happily seeing a cheerful face students. Here are the priceless expression on his face.